In May, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodger reiterated his desire to sign 'multi-functional' players, and so far, two of his three summer signings - Adam Lallana and £10m Emre Can - fit that specific criterion. Can admits that he is capable of playing in a number of different positions, but in his first official interview with the club, he made it specific clear that central midfield is his preferred position. I've made this point several times before, but given Rodgers' obsession with versatility, and LFC's abundance of central midfielders, there's a real possibility that Can may go the same way as Sahin, and ultimately end up being frustrated at Anfield.
In his interview yesterday with the LFC website, Can twice felt the need to clarify that he prefers to play in central midfield. Here are the two relevant snippets from the Q&A:
Q: You're someone who can play in a variety of positions, what is your best do you think?
A: "I personally see myself as a central midfielder, that is where I feel most comfortable, but I can also play a variety of other positions. At the end of the day, it's the manager's decision on where to play me".
Q: Do you see your versatility as an advantage?
A: "It's definitely is an advantage to play a number of positions. However, I have stated this before and I would like to mention it again, I see myself as a central midfielder, that is where I feel most comfortable".
This is clearly a subtle message to Rodgers, and the message is: I want to play central midfield. Why else does Can make the same point twice in quick succession? He even states 'I would like to mention it again', which is his attempt to emphatically underline his position on the subject.
Reading between the lines, it's obvious (to me) that Can fears being pidgeon-holed as a utility player. As a professional, he pays lip-service to the concept of versatility, but it's crystal-clear that he wants to play in central midfield.
Is that going to be possible, though?
If fit, Steven Gerrard is going to play most league/Champions league games, and the same probably applies to Jordan Henderson, who is one of Rodgers' favourites. Add in Lucas, Allen, and Lallana, and it's clear that Can will struggle to consistently play prestige games in his preferred position.
Ex-Red Sahin also struggled to play in central midfield for Liverpool. A month ago, I noted similarities between Can and Sahin, and I maintain that view:
* Prior to arriving at LFC, Sahin was in-demand, and well-regarded across Europe as a talented, effective central midfielder.
* Like Can, in his first LFC interview, he made clear his desire to play in central midfield: "I am a central midfielder who loves to have the ball. I'm not the type of player who dribbles past three or four players and then shoots at goal. I'm more of a tactical and technical player. I like to organise"
* At the time he signed, I made exactly the same argument as I've advanced here, i.e. that Sahin would grow frustrated if not played in his natural position. As per usual, I was slammed by a section of myopic LFC fans, who accused me of being 'negative'.
* What happened? Rodgers ignored Sahin's comments about not being the 'type of player' who plays in an advanced role, and inexplicably utilised him as a number 10. Sahin consequently grew frustrated, which inexorably led to his loan agreement being cancelled.
* Upon leaving, Sahin scathed: "I did not fail at Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers wanted me to play as a number 10, but I do not play behind the strikers. It is not my real position. I talked to him and asked him why he was playing me there. The coach could not answer me. Thank God I have left Brendan Rodgers"
* Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp - who knows a thing or two about management - also blamed Rodgers for failing to properly utilise Sahin. He told reporters: "Nuri is a great player. I don't know what Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers plans to do with him, but fielding him in the number ten position is not the best solution in my opinion"
This is what happens when players are utilised in the wrong way. If Rodgers wanted a number 10, he should've signed someone capable of operating in that role. Shoehorning a player into an unfamiliar role under the guise of 'versatility' is often a mistake, and it's one that I fear the manager will repeat with Emre Can.
That said, despite the very obvious comparison between Can and Sahin, I suspect some fans will once again refuse to see the wood for the trees, and will only accept this argument six months from now when Can is publicly moaning about being played out of position.
I may be in the minority here, but for me, this is a significant issue, and there's a very real chance that history will repeat itself.
As an aside: my Can/Sahin comparison has absolutely nothing to with their shared Turkish heritage (an accusation levelled by some in the past). The comparison is based solely on their respective positions/ability to integrate into the team, and I believe this is unambiguously clear.
http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2014/07/emre-can-subtle-warning-rodgers-about-position-sahin.html? 
